daves

I've been in Tampa Bay (Clearwater) for 7 years now, but went to school and worked in P'cola for 10 years. I dont think the diference in pay/benefits will be all that great overall. The main point I would make is the considerable difference in livi...

Well, I've been at this place off and on for 7 years. Primarily in PCU, but have done the floors too. Its not a bad place overall, and certainly better than the local competition, the HCA Blake Hospital where I worked as well. MMH always has a lot...

Have you considered buying a house here? Thay are cheap-cheap-cheap. I bought mine for cash like one-third of home purchases in TB are done. The point about proximity to the water and price is well-taken and obvious.

I haven't worked at Sun City but did interview when I came back to FL 2 years ago. What an odd place. You probably know you have to be at least 55 to buy property there. Thats fine and all, but walking around anywhere there and not seeing anyone u...

Welcome on down. I live in Clearwater and have heard decent things about Morton Plant, but have not worked there myself. I have worked at Largo which just last year voted by a 70% plurality of RNs and LPNs to unionize, so conditions should be impr...

Personally, I'm nobody's scab.

Get a load of this: Simultaneous possession of valid, active licenses in CA, NY, LA, DC, VI, HI, VA, WV, PA, MD, and FL. Yeah it was great fun renewing a license every 3-4 months:( Pared it down a bit though over the years, but at the time if I ever ...

I actually live in Clearwater a few blocks from the hospital, but have not worked there (yet?) I'm currently doing USC in Los Angeles. Come and enjoy the great beaches, no state income tax, and you don't have to live in St Pete or Tampa!

Going to start my fourth week at USC tomarrow as Tele float. Its now officially Keck Medical Center USC. Make sure you're not accidentally interviewing for LAC+USC, "County"; that's all together different. Probably not the first hospital someone s...

HCA? Where to start. I've done quite a few over the last three decades and its usually fairly predictable. All the horror stories I know, but if you know that in advance, at least you won't be surprized. Here in FL they're hard to ignore - too many...

Please visit the Florida state site to hear about opportunities from us that live here. Hear all about the ones you may want to avoid:( We are in the middle of "the season". As in tourist. Usually more than the typical number of spots open up.

Greetings from L.A. My current company has several of us at USC. While I don't particularly recommend CCTC or USC, there are a few options in the area. One to avoid is Apple Valley. You might try American Mobile - they're headquartered in - San Di...

After 20 years out of state will be moving back to Florida, but not to an area we are that familiar with. So all you Tampa people; what are people from Tampa called? - want to be very careful here - whats the good and whats the don't-even-think-abou...

Forgot to repoint out the most important parts that I intimated in another post: Make nice with your Resp Techs and CNAs. Not only do they know more about their fields then you ever will, they will sooner than later Save Your Ass; reference keeping...

You have to include "Rehab" facilities in your LTC search. They are almost all 8-hour shifts, though I hear there is a 12-hour facility in Zepherhills. Experienced RNs may make 22-24 or so. Inquire about the benefits - don't assume anything. Cambr...

LTACs, like any other hospital or hospital type, vary greatly from town to town. Your patient ratio is probably going to be twice that of an average ICU, but less than on Tele. And thats about right - its sort of a cross between the two. What save...

Wow, Oklahoma to NYC? You are intrepid indeed. All things being equal I would never consider NYC as a starter assignment. That said, if you have a background in major cities and cross-cultural experiences, it may be an easy transition. And where...

Hate to say this but I've juggled 12 licenses simultaneously during my traveling days. A person could have dozens if they wanted. Its a real hassel, and expense, to maintain them though. The more prudent thing would be to keep alive the states th...

Several years ago I worked at St Thomas in the Virgins. The hospital was all RNs as far as I know, but the local nursing home had LPNs. I can't describe the working conditions because I'm not familiar with them, but for what its worth, there were L...

Not sure about the cost of LPN licensure in FL, but I reacquired my RN for a cool $223. That comes at the end of an 18-page packet that didn't include the two fingerprint cards. Like everything else, send it off certified to the BON. In about a mon...

I've gone from WV to D.C. on a regular basis before. Working as a traveler, and with travelers, per diem, staff, and Baylor at out of state hospitals, I've almost never seen a site help with your concerns. You are pretty much on your own. That sai...

I'm finally going to put my two cents worth in Re PJC health programs. I am an ancient RN grad '86, after going through their Hospital Orderly, EMT, LPN, RN, and even got my Paramedic there. Nursing programs certainly don't have to be historica...

Select Speciality at St Francis may be an option. As for Thomas... all I can tell you is good luck. Getting a position there may not be the best thing that ever happened to you. For what its worth I'll share this after some 30 years in this busine...

I've done LTAC with Select for years. The acronym says it all. You tend to deal with medically or surgically complex patients that arrive with a host of ailments. We are never their first hospital - sometimes their third, even. They frequently en...

Will surely look at Clearwater, Oldsmar, etc. I have nothing against clean, quiet, small hospitals. Have done the mega Level 1 teaching hospitals before, from L.A. to D.C. Getting beat up every night all night needn't be a lifelong career path. ...